Inking mechanism for imprinters



July.17, 1962 R. M. PINE INKING MEcHANsM FOR IMPRINTERS 2 Sheets-Shea?I 1 Filed May ll, 1959 July 17, 1962 R. M. PINE 3,044,397

INKING MECHANISM FOR IMPRINTERS Filed May l1, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FII-5 2 Filed May 11, .1959, Sel', NQ- 812,255 i claim. (ci. rs1-367) This invention relates to an inking mecharllSm for Vimprinters and more particularly to an ink supply and applicator device for use in imprinting continuous form stationery.

It has been common practice in the past to provide an imprinting unit with an open tray of liquid ink into which a roller was dipped to pick up a surface film of ink or a roller on which ink was daubed by brush for application to a printing plate. This practice required the tray to be cleaned after each days use. The unused ink would be transferred to storage containers to prevent drying and the rolls of the imprinter had to be cleaned to maintain them in operative condition. Failure to properly clean all parts Y of the imprinter often resulted in drying of the ink in the supply tray and on the rolls causing difiiculty in later attempts to use the imprinter.

My invention obviates and solves the problems hereto-v fore experienced by providing a novel structure including a porous ink supply drum which gives up liquid ink into a fibrous sleeve from which ink may 'be transferred directly onto a printing roll. A large supply lasting for months even` for the heaviest users is provided. The inking drum can be rotated directly against the raised characters onv an imprinting cylinder or the ink can be relayed by rollers to the imprinting cylinder. The ink may be retained in the drum between uses of the imprinting unit without requiring removal or cleaning.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a new atent 3,044,397 Patented July 17, 1962l ice continuous form-stationery. In the illustrated embodiand improved device for supplying liquid ink to a rotary y imprinting cylinder.

' Another object is to provide an ink supply and appliator device which avoids the effects of drying of the ink in the supply after an imprinting operation.

A further object is to provide an ink supply and applicator device which, when used with an imprinting unit, provides the imprnter with an ink supply operative at any time for immediate application.

Another object is to provide an ink supply and applicator device having a chamber for receiving and retaining the ink for gradual release during use.

Another object is to provide a device of the character described which has a relatively soft, circular cylindrical outer surface permitting direct application of ink from the device to an imprinting plate.

Other objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of an imprinting system illustrating the relative positioning of printing, vibrator and transfer rolls and having an ink supply and applicating cylinder of this invention shown in cross-section and positioned relative to the other structure of the imprinter;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the ink supply and applicator cylinder mounted on a rotatable shaft, having the outer sleeve partially broken away;

FIGURE 3 is a central sectional View through the cylinder shown in FIGURE 2 taken about 90 therefrom, and

FIGURE 4 is a transverse sectional view through the same cylinder taken substantially along the line 4-4 in FIGURE 2.

Referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, an imprinting unit is shown as might be used with a business machine often found in any oflice using a substantial volu-me of ment, a base 1 may be partof. a bursting machine for the continuous form stationery. Frame members such as 2, extend upwardly from the base in order to support a backing roll 3 for the printing roll 11 in ,turn having thereon plates such as 4 andS Vwhich'may carry raised characters for performing imprinting upon the stationery kS led between the printing roll or cylinder 11 `and the backup roll 3. The arrow indicates the direction of movement Qf the stationery between the printing rolls. A handle 6 is associated with the shaft 7 supporting theimprinting cylinder 11 so'that the imprinting cylinder may be removed from the frame 2 when desired. v y

The mechanism for supplying the inktothe raised charv acters on the imprintingy cylinder is also supported on the base 1 by an upstanding frame 8 attached to the base. In the embodiment illustrated4 an ink supply cylinder 10 is mounted in the frame members 8 and delivers itsink to a pick-up roller 12 from which itis transferred to a rubber vibrating roll, 13V and then to the applying roll 14 which receives ra uniform, smooth lilm of ink on its sur,- face. The usual alternates between steelsurfaced and rubber surfaced rolls are used. While the illustrated diagrammatic showing in FIGURE linterposes rolls between the ink supplycand the imprinting cylinder, it has been found that the ink supply is so constructed and arranged that in certain applications ink canl be taken directly upon the raised type of an imprinting plate Without the interposition of intervening rolls.` The present invention is primarily concerned with the arrangement and structureV of the ink supply cylinder. y

Turning now more particularly to FIGURESZ through 4 of the drawings, the yink supply cylinder, generallydesignated 10, is provided with uan annular ink reservoir 15, The reservoirflS isdeiined by spaced circular cylindrical inner and outer sleeves 17 ,and 1 3 generally concentric to each other,I and annular end members 19` and 20 press fittedv between the sleeves. The annular end members and sleeves are secured; together iny liquid tight fashion bythe press fitting o f the end'members between the sleeves. All the membersof the drum can beY made of any rigid material resistant to the chemical properties of ink, such as for example, cold rolled steel.

The hollow drum, is mounted on a shaft 21 passing v snugly through the inner sleeve 17 but` with sufficient clearance to allow removal. The drum'is securely fastened to the shaft by a set screw 22 threaded radially through an end portion 23 of the drum. It is preferred to use a set screw with a head portion that may enter the tapped bore as illustrated. Tightening of the screw against the shaft is generally sufficient to lock the drum in a selected position on the shaft. An opening in the felt sleeve over the set screw may be provided.

The outer sleeve 18 of the drum has a relatively smooth outer surface 24 interrupted only by a series of circumferentially extending grooves 25 having a depth less than the thickness of the sleeve 18. As shown in FIGURE 2, the grooves are arranged in parallel fashion and spaced approximately 3/s of an inch apart. A plurality of openings 26 extend through the outer sleeve 18 to connect the interior of the drum with each of the grooves 26. The openings permit ink to pass or bleed outwardly into the grooves. It has been found that if'the openings are spaced angularly 45 apart, a suicient supply of ink will be supplied under operating conditions.

-The preferred ink is a relatively viscous liquid which will pass through the openings 26 but will not readily flow due to its viscosity. The ink permeates a soft sleeve about the supply cylinder and is given up to any surface that presses against the soft sleeve.

The soft sleeve referred to is here shown as formed of a brous material covering 27 tightly tted about the outer surface of the outer metal sleeve 18. The fibrous covering 27 bridges the grooves 25 forming channels below the inner surface 29 of the covering into'which ink can ow from the supply. 'The drum lhas sloping edges 30 at the ends of the sleeve 18 to aid in leadingthe soft covering onto the drum. The inner surface ofthe soft sleeve is about the same size as the drum so that assembly makes the outer sleeve tight on the drum. Y,

The fibrous covering can be constructed of any suitable absorbent material, felt being preferred. The outer surface ofthe felt covering is ground to a true circular cylindrical surface about the shaft 21 after the felt is placed An opening 31 extends radially through the fibrous covering and through the outer sleeve 18 to provide means for refilling the reservoir. A threaded plug 32 may be used to close the opening after a refilling operation and preferably should extend inwardly Well below the surface Y ofthe felt. Other iilling passagesrmay be provided, for example, in the end members instead of in the outer sleeve as illustrated.

In operation, the inksupply and applicator cylinder is iilled after the cylinder Vis placed on a shaft such as 21 in relation to an imprinting unit. VV'Ihe filling opening provided in the cylinderis intended for use with a squeeze bottle-type of ink container so that the lling of the container is a relatively easy operation. As shown in FIG- URES 3 and 4, the ink may not lentirely iill the chamber;

however, `the openings through the outerl Wall of theV chamber will permit the removal of air'so that the cham# berV may .be completely iilled,rif desired. The ink will generally pass into the circular grooves and on into the felt and is believed to till the interstices in the felt. The ink is sufficiently viscous-but it will not drop by gravity from the surface of the felt. Touching the felt will transfer ink from the felt to the surface brought against it. A heavier pressure will result in the transfer of more inkv and a lighter pressure Will take up less ink from the surface.

Afterextensive use of an imprinting unit with the ink applying cylinder of this invention, the ink may be retained or left in the cylinder without adverse eiects. The cylinder may be used for several days intermittently or remain inactive for several days without any apparent change in the ability of the device to properly coat a surface broughtV against it with ink for imprinting purposes. The felt seems to protect the ink from air so that there is'little on no caking or drying of the ink. It is contemplated that afterV extensive use of the device it should be cleaned in a solvent for the ink. For this purpose, the felt may remain on the cylinder.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, for some modiications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

An ink supply and applicator for an imprinting unit used with a business machine, comprising: a hollow drum having inner and outer generally concentric cylindrical sleeve members and doughnut shaped head members press fitted. between said sleeves in liquid-tight fashion at the respective ends of the sleeves providing an annular ink receiving space betweensaid sleeves and intermediate said heads, means for securing the drum upon a generally horizontally disposed shaft, said means including a screw extending radially through said outer sleeve, a head member and said inner sleeve to bear against the shaft; said outer sleeve having a relatively smooth outer surface interrupted by a plurality of circumferentially extending grooves therein having a depth less than the thickness of said sleeve and a plurality of openings through the outer sleeve communicating with the interior with each of said grooves, said outer sleeve further having a closable ink lling port extending radially therethrough spaced intermediate said head members, and a brous material sleeve tightly embracing and covering substantiallyV the entire Width of said outer sleeve and bridging over said grooves.

References Cited in the file of this patent A UNITED STATES PATENTS 419,014 

